In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
But like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I should've worked much harder
I should've just not bothered
I never show up on weekdays
That's something that you learned yesterday
Drive you to work and you will be on time
These little problems, they're not yours, they're mine
Come on, listen to what I say
I got some secrets that'll make you stay
I just want to turn you down
I just want to turn you around
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, you're a freak"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
For the record, it's between you and I
Oh, I didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
And like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it just don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I just want to misbehave
I just want to be your slave
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, I can wait"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
But for the record, it's between you and I
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
But like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I should've worked much harder
I should've just not bothered
I never show up on weekdays
That's something that you learned yesterday
Drive you to work and you will be on time
These little problems, they're not yours, they're mine
Come on, listen to what I say
I got some secrets that'll make you stay
I just want to turn you down
I just want to turn you around
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, you're a freak"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
For the record, it's between you and I
Oh, I didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
And like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it just don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I just want to misbehave
I just want to be your slave
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, I can wait"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
But for the record, it's between you and I
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i agree, excellent song. im confused about the trenchcoat too, however.